Nearly one youth athlete under the age of 18 in the United States will die every 3 to 4 days from a heart related condition. An overwhelming cause of these deaths includes Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) which involves the thickening of the heart muscle, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. Other cardiac issues such as Long QT Syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White disease also put student-athletes at risk.

Most of these disorders can go unrecognized even though most causes of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth athletes can be found and treated before its too late. Thorough, in-depth, screenings and worst-case-scenario preparedness, can mean our local youth do not have to fit into that statistic.

The problem is that some of these advance screenings that are able catch these issues can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars! Luckily a local non-profit organization is looking to help change that and make these important screenings more readily available.

On Saturday July 25th, 2015 the LV Sportz Foundation, with the support of the Glen Lerner Gives Back program, will be holding its now quarterly free sports physical and heart screening event to provide local youth ages 10 to 18 with FREE comprehensive pre-participation physical evaluations (PPEs/Sports Physicals) and youth athlete heart screenings utilizing 12 Lead EKG’s (thanks to grants from two local Sam’s Clubs and the Glen Lerner Gives Back program) and 2D Limited Echocardiogram’s (courtesy of the American Institute of Medical Sonography).

Interested parents MUST pre-register for the event since there is limited space. Parents can visit the LV Sportz Foundation’s Website at http://lvsportz.com/screening for scheduling, forms and more information.

Thanks to support from the Glen Lerner Gives Back program, the organization will also be holding a Free CPR/AED Certification class for youth sports coaches and team moms during the event from 10am to 2pm (normally $25 or higher). Coaches and Team Moms can register here: http://lvsportz.com/schedule. Space is Limited to 12 coaches/team moms!

Brian Bartolome, Executive Director of the LV Sportz Foundation said, “We have established this unique and innovative screening event to ensure that student athletes have access to these potentially life-saving exams to prevent such incidents without having to worry about cost.”

He further stated that, “Using an EKG along with an Echocardiogram as a screening tool, in conjunction with a qualitative physical exam and review of personal and family history, physicians are better able to detect cardiac abnormalities in young athletes. We know we can’t catch everything but if we can identify even just one or two abnormal screens and potentially save a life, it is worth the extra precaution, especially if we can offer them for free so that they are equally accessible to everyone.”

Dr. Alfred Danielian, participating cardiologist from HealthCare Partners stated, "The LV Sportz Foundation’s Heart Screening Program for the local community is an effective way to detect conditions that may lead to sudden cardiac death in young athletes while providing invaluable data to advance future screening program across the country."

The LV Sportz Foundation also stated that they are looking at other possible additions to the event that include a Concussion Readiness Screening Program and/or sickle-cell screening as well as additional Injury Risk Assessments and more...

The screening events are part of the foundation’s larger Game-Saver Program which also includes low-cost American Red Cross CPR/AED Certification for coaches/team moms, hands-only CPR training for student-athletes and an A.E.D. Loaner program as part of their Positive and Safe Sports (P.A.S.S.) Initiative.

Media

This event is open for All Press Coverage. Contact Brian Bartolome, LV Sportz Foundation (702-561-1267 or brian@lvsportz.com) for interviews, scheduling or additional information.

__________________About LV Sportz FoundationThe LV Sportz Foundation is a multi-faceted Nevada non-profit whose goal is to help Southern Nevada youth Get in the Game, Enjoy the Game and Stay in the Game! LVSF offers a variety of positive and safe sports programs and information; youth sports registration assistance; free youth sports clinics; youth sports awards; as well as news and announcements on every aspect of youth sports in the Southern Nevada area.

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What's Being Said?

Jennifer Robinson

2015-07-27, 16:17

I enjoy doing these free physical events with LV Sportz Foundation. It makes me happy to know another 50 or so athletes were screened and the few that actually have an issue with their heart and didn't know are now getting treatment. (Medical Volunteer)